Chef Margarita Forés cements her legacy as one of Asia’s best chefs through a new brand identity and signature restaurant that aim to make life more delicious for everyone.
Award-winning chef and restaurateur Margarita Araneta Forés has almost four decades of experience in the food and beverage industry and is an advocate for Filipino gastronomy. She has become one of the Philippines’ most celebrated culinary ambassadors and was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. This household name has made an indelible impact on the Filipino culinary landscape through her top-notch catering service, beloved restaurants, and delicious and original products.
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She says “My life’s purpose is simple: to make life and living more beautiful and delicious for others.” After 37 years of doing this, she believes now is the time to lay the groundwork for “Margarita” — a brand identity and a signature restaurant that will transcend even her. She says “This is my legacy.”
Margarita is the architect of her world from exquisite dining to captivating floral arrangements, from elegant calligraphy to homeware. Her new brand identity embodies the essence of Margarita’s aesthetic. Her brand will be using her own handwritten logo, a timeless black-and-white color palette, and transforming the letter “M” into a repeat pattern.
For the important task of creating her new brand identity, Margarita enlisted Thirty30 Creative, which offers innovative creative solutions to clients on local and international stages with clients such as Rosewood, New World, and Dorsett Hotels, hospitality groups JIA, and Leading Nation, retailers Joyce and Lane Crawford, and international fashion brands such as Dior and the Tod’s Group.
Creative Director of Thirty30 Creative Victoria Tang-Owen says “The motivation to build the Margarita brand was to streamline all of Margarita’s many business interests and creative outlets into one coherent identity that truly represents Margarita.” Managing Director of Thirty30 Creative Chris Owen adds “We met with Margarita several times and we had this beautiful light bulb moment when Victoria noticed Margarita’s penmanship. Victoria determined that this handwritten logotype would perfectly showcase Margarita’s attention to detail, creativity, education, and appreciation for aesthetics.”
As part of the streamlining of the brand, Margarita is also changing the names of sub-brands to the following: Margarita Home, Margarita Gourmet, Margarita Floralscapes, and Margarita Wellness. Her popular catering service Cibo di Marghi will now be referred to as Margarita Signature Caterer.
Brought together by a shared passion for Italy, New York, and the Philippines, Margarita has tapped architect and interior designer, Sean Dix. Sean has an impressive portfolio, crafting luxurious retail boutiques, collaborating with Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs globally.
Margarita and Sean drew inspiration from the places they both hold dear, as well as Margarita’s familial heritage, in conceiving the design for Restaurant Margarita. The luxurious restaurant will combine diverse cultural influences and personal aesthetics and will mirror Margarita’s eclectic taste. Sean sees Restaurant Margarita as “a plush sala, a jewelbox showcasing Margarita’s culinary finesse.”
Her Signature restaurant Margarita will open late this year at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Garden.
